Einsturzende Neubauten

Strategies Against Architecture III (1991-2001)

Mute

Twenty years, numerous releases and multiple defections later, the tumultuous, epic chaos that is Einsturzende Neubauten hands us a decade’s worth of noise with Strategies Against Architecture III. With vocalist/guitarist/sound-splatterer Blixa Bargeld and mainstay R.U. Unruh still in the fold, Neubauten’s output since 1991 has been really a clearer manifestation of what they initially intended with their inception a decade before. Still utilizing and abusing more tools, wood and concrete than a Bob Villa special, Neubauten’s output can be described as anything but formulaic or trite.

The percussive ramblings, wheezing keyboards, processed guitars and Bargeld’s scraggly German drawl has become the trademark, post-apocalyptic EN sound that has yet to be fully understood, but much appreciated and respected. Rarities, alternate versions, and previously unreleased tracks like the white-noise dirge opener “Zentrifuge” make up most of this two-disc offering. Although the architecture has become a bit more structured and meticulous in recent years, the initial nihilist punk mindset still exists and reveals itself in most of EN’s music. Even with founding members like FM Einheit exiting in the ’90s, the remaining core is still plundering ahead.

If you aren’t familiar with Neubauten, take baby steps with recent, more accessible releases like Ende Neu and Silence Is Sexy. Once you’ve unearthed the beauty in turmoil that is their music, take steps backwards to their more corrosive ’80s releases. In the meantime, this set will bring you up to speed on the progenitors of true industrial music.